Graduate numbers falling for first time

A DECADE of expanding graduate numbers is over, the Spring 1997 Graduate Market Trends survey reveals today. Despite rising employer demand for graduates, the number of first degree new graduates this summer could be less than last year, it said. The Higher Education Careers Services Unit survey found that the 1994 cap on student numbers, combined with a fall in 18 and 19 year-old numbers, will mean a drop of 3.8 per cent. The number of graduate job vacancies, however, grew by 5.3 per cent between May and November 1996.